CPF BC & Yukon Fall 2023 Magazine

EXTRA EDITION
MAGAZINE
FALL/WINTER 2023
La langue et le métier
FSL learners bring French
into their teaching careers
L’Accueil chaleureux
How volunteers can help retain
teachers in their communities

La langue et le métier
We know that learning French can unlock all kinds of opportunities, including social,
travel, and educational. The following stories highlight examples of French second
language learners who brought their skill into their teaching careers.
Alexis Ewacha
Initially, Alexis Ewacha never set out to teach French
Immersion. Alexis earned her Bachelor of Arts from
the University of BC (UBC); majoring in history, with
a minor in geography.
“After high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted
to do,” explains the 24-year-old, adding that taking
history was influenced by her father, a history
teacher. “However, during my second year at UBC,
I decided to go into teaching, to pursue my love of
both history and French.”
Alexis was exposed to French early on. Her
parents thought their daughter should be academically
challenged, so they enrolled Alexis in French Immersion
in kindergarten. “Neither of my parents spoke French, but they
had friends whose children were in French Immersion,” says Alexis.
She soon excelled at French. An exchange program to Quebec
City for three weeks in Grade 10 cemented her love for the French
language. “I thought it was really cool to speak another language,”
says Alexis. “French Immersion expanded my curiosity.”
Eliesse Harpaz
Initially, Alexis Ewacha never set out to teach French Immersion. Alexis earned her Bachelor of
Arts from the University of BC (UBC); majoring in history, with a minor in geography.
“After high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” explains the 24-year-old, adding that
taking history was influenced by her father, a history teacher. “However, during my second year
at UBC, I decided to go into teaching, to pursue my love of both history and French.”
Alexis was exposed to French early on. Her parents thought their daughter should be
academically challenged, so they enrolled Alexis in French Immersion in kindergarten.
“Neither of my parents spoke French, but they had friends whose children were in French
Immersion,” says Alexis.
She soon excelled at French. An exchange program to Quebec City for three weeks in Grade 10
cemented her love for the French language.
As the youngest teacher at Burnaby’s École Brantford
Elementary, Eliesse Harpaz proves that French
Immersion opens up doors. At 23, Eliesse was hired
by her alma mater to teach full time in a Grade 5/6
split French Immersion class.
“Most new teachers have to substitute when
they first start out, but I never did … I went right into
my own classroom,” says the now 25-year-old, adding
French came easily to her. “I credit my mom for immersing
me in the language. My mother was adamant
that I learn another language, because she felt I would
have more opportunities in Iife if I pursued French.”
Eliesse attended French Immersion throughout
elementary and high school. She also participated in several
Concours d’art oratoire district competitions, and was a junior leader
and then leader with Vancouver Island’s BC Family French Camp.
One of Eliesse fondest memories was a Grade 11 school trip to
France, walking along the famous Champs-Elysées Street with her
classmates listening to Parisians speak.
“As for exchanges, I also participated in the Explore program
“I thought it was really cool to speak another language,” says Alexis. “French Immersion
expanded my curiosity.”
After her first year of university, she admits she felt a little intimidated and nervous with her
“rusty French speaking skills.”
After her first year of university, she admits she
felt a little intimidated and nervous with her “rusty
French speaking skills.” That got her questioning
if any of her classmates also thought of linguistic
insecurity, which is feelings of anxiety or a lack of
confidence when speaking a second language.
“During my practicum, teaching a Grade 10
social studies class, we discussed linguistic insecurity,
even though the students were from Francophone
families,” says Alexis. “I found out it was a
very common feeling. In order to help alleviate that
insecurity, I had to encourage a sense of comfort.”
Alexis is a French Immersion teacher, with a
special interest in linguistic insecurity, at her former high school,
École Earl Marriott Secondary. Here, she encourages her students
to think about how French fluency can expand their horizons.
“French Immersion teachers are in high demand, and at 24 I
had my own classroom,” says Alexis. “Studying French helped me
secure a full-time teaching position much faster.”
twice, the first at the Université du Quebec à
Trois-Rivieres (UQTR), and the second at Université
de Montreal (UdeM),” says Eliesse. “These are great
government-sponsored programs that everyone
should take advantage of.”
That’s not all. Eliesse volunteered with programs
such as Forum for Young Canadian in Ottawa, where
French came in very handy.
It was in Grade 11 that Eliesse decided she
would continue her French studies. She received a
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in French from Simon
Fraser University (SFU), before attending the University
of B.C. for a Bachelors of Education.
She can’t emphasize enough how being multilingual has
enriched her life. “There is so much value in being able to speak our
country’s two official languages… it makes connecting and traveling
much more interesting,” says Eliesse.
Meantime, for her students Eliesse hopes to inspire them to
see the value and many advantages to speaking French.
2 | CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH BC & YUKON FALL 2023

More than 1.7 million Canadian students are
enrolled in French second language programs,
including close to 1.3 million in Core French and
450,000 in French immersion.
Danielle Senyk
Although Danielle Senyk’s father grew up in Quebec
and spoke a little French, it wasn’t until Grade 5 that
Danielle was exposed to French.
“I was in a fairly small school and Core French was
a relatively new program,” says Danielle. “Although
both my parents and teachers encouraged me, it was
my choice to take French Immersion in Middle School
because I liked the language.”
Her parents enrolled her at New Westminster’s
École Glenbrook Middle School in late French Immersion.
“I did find it challenging at the beginning because
some of the other students in my class already spoke
a little French,” says Danielle. “Verbal presentations
weren’t my favourite thing but I was strong at it. I’m a huge advocate for
late French Immersion because it was such an enriching experience.”
Even though Danielle found it difficult at times, she persevered
through to Grade 12. A trip to Quebec with a friend in Grade 12
reinforced her decision to further her French studies.
After high school, Danielle was accepted into the French
Dylan Trerice
Growing up, Dylan Trerice loved listening to his Italian
grandparents speak in their mother tongue.
“I remember watching my Nonna speaking Italian
and wondering how it felt to communicate fluently in
another language,” says the Vancouver Island French
Immersion teacher and Canadian Parents for French BC
and Yukon Branch board members.
Unbeknownst to Dylan at the time, thus began
his love for bilingualism.
Throughout elementary and high school, his
parents enrolled him in the Core French program.
“In high school, I had the most brilliant Core French
teacher, who recognized that I was really good in
French,” says Dylan. “She told me that being so
proficient, it could open up so many doors for me.”
The core French program taught Dylan the beauty and magic of
learning French by learning how elements such as vocabulary, grammar,
and culture were intertwined and connected to boost proficiency.
His most precious high school memories were of a Grade 10
exchange trip to Paris for two weeks. Immersing himself completely
CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH BC & YUKON FALL 2023
program at Simon Fraser University (SFU).
“Because I was in French Immersion in high
school, I was able to skip a few beginner courses at
SFU,” Danielle says, adding she knew from Grade 2
that she wanted to become a teacher. “Studying
French taught me to appreciate the beauty of
speaking a second language and to recognize the
value of other cultures.”
As the second most widely learned language in
the world after English, Danielle knows that learning
French is inherently valuable. As a French Immersion
kindergarten teacher at Qayqayt Elementary
in her hometown, she enjoys communicating her
feelings of the language with her young students.
“I love French so much, and in kindergarten it’s challenging
because you want to make sure your message is conveyed in a
welcoming way,” says Danielle. “I recognize my students are
coming into a new language, so I try to incorporate as much
play as possible into the learning.”
in the language, he felt a “huge sense of pride and
joy to be able to communicate clearly in French with
the locals.”
After high school, Dylan attended the University
of Victoria (UVic), where he completed an undergraduate
degree in French studies, literature, culture and
linguistics. “At university, my professors encouraged
me to go for a Master’s in French Studies,” he adds.
“I spent half a year at UVic and another six months in
Montpellier, France.”
With his Master’s under his belt, a professor
offered him the chance to teach university level
French labs. He knew he’d found his calling.
Now in his sixth-year teaching French Immersion, Dylan is
passing on his passion for French to his own students.
“As a French Immersion teacher, I intertwine teaching
philosophies and techniques unique to Core French with those of
the French Immersion model so that my students are inspired to
take a much more active and inquisitive role in developing their
proficiency of French,” says Dylan.
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L’Accueil chaleureux
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is mobilizing its networks of
volunteers under an initiative to help retain French second
language (FSL) public school teachers in communities throughout
British Columbia.
With the participation of the Government of Canada and the
Ministry of Education and Child Care of British Columbia, L’accueil
chaleureux: New French Teacher Welcome Project is focused on
improving retention of new FSL teachers in their first three years of
teaching. By working with dedicated volunteers, CPF can help new
FSL teachers feel better connected socially and culturally in their
new home communities.
The project, which launched in late 2022 and continues until
June 2024, has two components. The first involves community hosts
who will introduce new teachers to the community during a series
of outings during the school year, helping to make social connections
and show what makes their community a special place to live. The
second component encourages new teachers to organize Frenchlanguage
community events to improve their confidence and
enthusiasm for teaching French.
The story below is an example of the difference CPF volunteers
can have by making their community a welcoming place for newly
arrived teachers.
Lynne Côté-Aubin
The Story of a Fort St. John Principal
Canadian Parents for French
volunteers made Lynne Côté-Aubin
feel at home in Fort St. John when
she arrived in the Northern BC
community to teach in 1990 from
Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. She put her
roots in Fort St. John and eventually became
principal at Ecole Central Elementary School.
Lynne tells us how, in addition to the type of
school district support she received, efforts
like the teacher retention project can make
a major difference for new arrivals.
Tell us about your first impressions
of moving to Fort St. John? I was
scared because I was fresh out of university
and brand new to teaching. I loved Fort
St. John from the moment I arrived because
the school and the city were very welcoming.
How did the welcome you received
affect your experience as a new
teacher? It made a huge difference! I felt
included from the start by the staff as well
as the parent community. All new teachers
were adopted by a CPF host family. We were
included in outings, dinners, celebrations,
etc. These events ensured we felt like we
belonged and gave us a sense of community.
When did you realize that you were
never going to leave? That is a funny
story! My adoptive family invited me to
Thanksgiving dinner where I met my
husband. He was my adoptive father’s
brother. After meeting my husband, Bert,
I knew I was never going to leave. The
outdoors (fishing, hunting, gardening,
nature, mountains) also played an important
part in my decision. I fell in love with my soul
mate and the province.
What has been the best part about
settling in a small town in BC? I love
the fact that I can get from point A to point
B in the town in a relatively short amount of
time, everyone is friendly and I feel I have a
huge network of support. Our school district
staff are approachable and very supportive,
also an advantage to a smaller school
district. There are many opportunities
for advancement.
Do you have any advice for new
teachers who are starting their
careers? Be patient! You will not know
everything from the start. Don’t be afraid to
ask for help and be open to collaboration.
Lastly, involve yourself in the community!
4 | CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH BC & YUKON FALL 2023

Are postsecondary studies
in French worth the effort?
Oh que oui!
For students who have spent years studying French in school, the
decision regarding where and in which language to pursue their
postsecondary studies isn’t always an easy one.
The Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second
Language Program might help with their decision. The Program
encourages young Canadians whose first official language spoken
is English to study in French. It is designed to help students starting
a college or university program to enhance their bilingualism while
studying in their field of interest. These non-renewable $3,000
bursaries are currently available in more than 25 colleges and
universities across Canada.
How does it work?
Students need to be registered in a program in which at least 50%
of courses and program-related activities are offered in French.
Considering the cost of living and of college or university education,
this financial support has been more than welcome for Mélissa Yu:
“In truth, the bursary significantly reduced the financial burden of
tuition fees. But more importantly, I perceived it as a recognition
for all the efforts I invested in pursuing my postsecondary studies
in French.”
Being bilingual offers several benefits: better employment
opportunities, higher wages, and expanding knowledge about
another culture, among others.
In a recent survey of 2022-2023 bursary recipients, most respondents
(89.3%) stated that taking postsecondary classes in French helped
them improve their conversational skills. Jennifer Chang can attest to
this: “[Receiving the bursary] opened the prospect of bilingualism and
bolstered my confidence in my French-language skills. I hope to work
in a Francophone setting in the future.”
What would Mélissa Yu say to students who are hesitant about
continuing their studies in French?
“Do not waver! Although studying in French may seem intimidating
at first, and may sometimes be difficult, it is worth it. It is a wonderful
opportunity to learn more about a different culture and language. You
will be presented with an entire range of opportunities in the future,
whatever your career path, and wherever you choose to work.”
The Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second
Language Program is funded by the Government of Canada and
administered by the Association des collèges et universités de la
francophonie canadienne (ACUFC).
To find out more about eligibility
criteria and the colleges
and universities across Canada
offering the FSL bursary,
visit ACUFC.ca/FSLbursaries.
TWO LANGUAGES,
TWICE THE POSSIBILITIES
FRENCH COHORT PROGRAM
IN PUBLIC & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
DISCOVER THE MANY BENEFITS OF STUDYING IN THIS
MULTIDISCIPLINARY BACHELOR’S DEGREE:
• Bilingual program
• Student exchange in Europe or in Québec
• Field s tudies and community-based projec ts
• Small cohort + exclusive courses and services
• Up to $14,500 in bursaries and awards
for s tudies in French
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT
SFU.CA/BAFF-OFFA/FCP
CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH BC & YUKON FALL 2023
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Canadian Parents for French’s Concours d’art oratoire is
Canada’s largest, annual French-language public-speaking
competition, involving thousands of students every year, and
thousands of dollars worth of prizes.
The aim of this public speaking contest is to stimulate the
interest of students learning French, to improve their speaking
skills, and to give them experience presenting in public.
This event is organized by Canadian Parents for French
(CPF), who has worked together with parents and school staff
since 1983 to organize school, district, and provincial-level
competitions. Concours is open to French Second Language
Provincial Concours
occurs on the first
Saturday in May.
Stay tuned
for 2024!
(FSL) and Francophone students from grades 6 through 12 who
are studying Core (Basic) or Intensive French, French immersion
(Early or Late), or studying in a BC Francophone school (Conseil
scolaire francophone).
Over 150 students participated in the provincial finals of the
Concours d’art oratoire 2023. Five BC students from Grades 11
and 12 had the opportunity to participate later in the National
competition, where the three following students placed first in
their respective categories. Congratulations to all of the 2023
participants! We look forward to welcoming students again to
the 2024 provincial finals on May 4th.
Dhruv Mehta
I began learning French at school in grade five, and immediately, I was fond of the language’s elegance. Over
the years, school has taught me to become a more eloquent French speaker, by introducing intricate vocabulary
and useful sentence structures that have improved the overall quality of my written and spoken French.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of this year’s Concours d’art oratoire, the extravagance of which
was enhanced by a variety of innovative topics and passionate students.
Through Concours, I aspired to not only improve my French skills, but also leave a relevant message that
would resonate with current global affairs and provide the audience with a unique perspective of our world.
Achieving this goal required persistent efforts, which included drafting and refining my speech, alongside
practicing it regularly to maintain fluency.
Before participating in Concours, I found it difficult to answer questions on the spot, as they immensely
challenged my knowledge of French grammar. However, the various levels of Concours allowed me to hone
my critical-thinking and improvisation abilities, which were not only useful for the competition, but also at
school. In general, the Concours d’art oratoire was an excellent opportunity that broadened my knowledge
and increased my confidence.
Shreyanshi Vala
My French learning journey started back in grade six as I took part in the Late French Immersion
Program. I remember being extremely excited to embark on the journey and learn something more
than “bonjour”! In grade six, I also participated in the Provincial Concours d’art oratoire for the first
time, and it was an honour to be back five years later.
This year, my speech focused on the issue of providing education to increase personal safety
around the world, especially for women. The process of preparing for the speech and question
session definitely helped me improve my writing and speaking skills, and I thank the wonderful team
and volunteers who worked to create this opportunity!
On another note, in school, I learned how languages are the entrance to new ways of thinking,
cultures, and thoughts. With my experience learning French, I could not agree more with this statement.
All in all, learning French and participating in the Concours d’art oratoire has been a wonderful experience,
and I look forward to making many more memories.
6 | CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH BC & YUKON FALL 2023

Claire Zhong
My relationship with French started with a gamble. With their limited English, my immigrant parents believed
learning both official languages would be the best way to embrace Canada’s bilingual culture. Thus, they tried
my luck, signing me up in a draw for a spot in the French Immersion program in kindergarten. Twelve years in,
I couldn’t imagine myself without it.
This year, I spoke about glottophobia, or discrimination by accent. Growing up around many new immigrants
with various levels of broken English, I wasn’t unfamiliar with such discrimination. But it wasn’t until last semester,
when my lovely French teacher told our class about her experience with glottophobia, that I realized how
much it affects the francophone community. Throughout my research process, I learned about the standardization
of the French language and the diversity of accents and dialects in la francophonie. In retrospect, I’ve
realized how Concours has taken my French research, writing, and speaking skills to the next level. As a four-time
participant in this event, I’ve improved my understanding of the culture and history behind the French language
with every time. And while the process can be challenging, it has been equally, if not more, rewarding.
EducationPlannerBC:
A Valuable Resource for
both Students and Parents
Sometimes students don’t know what they want to do after high
school or where to start and look to their parents and families for
help. We are excited to be working with Canadian Parents for French
to help parents support their students’ decisions and to share unique
opportunities for students to continue with French after high school.
What is EducationPlannerBC? EducationPlannerBC supports
a seamless journey into post-secondary education. Our website is
home to the provincial post-secondary application service and
valuable resources. Students can access information such as program
and career planning tools, admission requirements, financial aid
options, and can easily apply to any of B.C.’s 25 public post-secondary
institutions. EducationPlannerBC improves access to post-secondary
education in B.C. by engaging and informing students and their
supporters throughout their planning, searching, and applying
stages with no associated cost.
How can parents help support their student? We know the
importance of parents and families in supporting students’ decisions
around post-secondary. We work with school districts to host Parents
as Education and Career Coaches virtual workshops to provide
information and guidance on how to navigate our website, find
useful resources, and best support students.
Visit our Parents webpage to learn how to use our program
search database, find important dates and deadlines, and understand
the different types of financial support available to help your student
get prepared for post-secondary.
Student engagement Since fall 2020 we have been delivering
in-class presentations to grade 10-12 students. Our goal is to guide and
support students in their transition from high school to post-secondary.
Presentation topics include credentials, student services, finances,
post-secondary terminology, career pathways, and applications.
As part of a new French Language Programming initiative in
B.C., we now offer a presentation that is geared towards students
enrolled in Francophone and French Second Language programs. The
presentation is delivered in French and highlights the range of French
language education and career opportunities in B.C.
Visit our French Students webpage to learn about French language
program options in B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions. Whether
the goal is to pursue a degree in French, become a French teacher, or
simply maintain or improve French language skills while pursuing a
different area of study, there’s something for everyone! This page also
showcases French-specific scholarships and bursaries, career resources
and job boards, and helpful resources for anyone pursuing French in
their post-secondary education and career.
Interested in learning more?
Visit our website at www.EducationPlannerBC.ca
Email us at Support@educationplannerbc.ca
CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH BC & YUKON FALL 2023
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Le bilinguisme : un grand cadeau
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